Marquardt Vying to Coach "TUF"

UFC middleweight Nate Marqaurdt has officially thrown his name in the hat to become a coach on next season’s “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series. Originally, the UFC was hoping to have the winner of the Rich Franklin-Dan Henderson bout at UFC 93 coach opposite Michael Bisping, however neither of the MMA veterans seem too interested. Marquardt, on the other hand, would be honored to be a part of the hit television show.

“Being a coach on ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ is something I’d love to do,” Marquardt stated. “I asked the UFC if I could do it, but I’m not sure who they’re considering. I think it would be good to be a part of it.”

Marquardt isn’t the only UFC middleweight interested in being a coach on the show. The undefeated Brazilian Jiu Jitsu wizard, Damian Maia, has also expressed interest in gaining more exposure as a TUF coach.

Although the Jackson Submission Fighter feels that a Bisping-Maia matchup would be interesting, he feels that neither of the two fighters would stand much of a chance against him.

“Both of them are good fighters,” Marquardt said. “Bisping can go and go, and Maia is good on the ground. But neither one of them has fought anyone who is as good as me or at the same level of fighter that I am. It would be a huge jump in class for them to fight me, and I think I could finish either one of them off in round one or two.”

While the UFC figures out their next move, Marquardt has stayed busy training as he continues his pursuit of perfecting his MMA game. He also continues to pay close attention to what the other top contenders in the 185-pound division are up to.

“Right now, I’m just staying in shape, helping guys get ready for their fights and waiting to see who’s going to win some of these upcoming middleweight fights,” he said.

His ultimate goal is to get another crack at reigning middleweight champion Anderson Silva. The Brazilian humiliated Marqaurdt in the 1stRound of their matchup at UFC 73, and since then he has been on a mission to prove that he is a much better fighter than what he showed that night.

“The desire for a rematch with Anderson Silva is obvious, and it’s a great desire of mine,” said Marquardt. “I really feel like I didn’t fight the way I wanted to fight. I just didn’t show up that night. When I was sticking with my game plan, I was winning the fight. I went away from that, and he took advantage of it. The next time we fight, it will be a war and I can’t wait for the opportunity.”